More than 200 sites across Ontario are preparing for the Annual Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research this Sunday.
There is no pre-registration or registration fee for the family-friendly fundraiser, and all money raised goes to support cancer research through the Terry Fox Research Institute.
At least two dozen communities across Midwestern Ontario will be hosting Runs on Sunday. To find the nearest one, log on to terryfox.org or by calling 1-888-836-9786.
In Ontario alone, over $13 million was collected last year. Over $750 million has been raised worldwide to date.
Terry Fox was 18 when he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right leg in 1977 and had his leg amputated above the knee. While in the hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients that he decided to run across Canada in 1980 to raise money for cancer research.
He ran an average of 42 kilometres every day for 143 days in his Marathon of Hope. Terry was forced to end his run on September 1, 1980, when the cancer spread to his lungs.
Terry died in June 1981.
Canadian icon Terry Fox ( Courtesy www.terryfox.org.)